In New Jersey Debate, Democratic Candidates for Governor Gang Up on Front-Runner

NEWARK — An energized Jim Johnson chastised Philip D. Murphy early and often: “The insiders play the games for themselves and you’re in bed with the insiders.”

Ray Lesniak declared, “My Democratic Party is based on principles, not on Phil Murphy’s money.”

And a fiery John Wisniewski lit into Mr. Murphy’s campaign’s spending practices as “pay to play at its worst.”

The final major televised debate in the Democratic primary for governor of New Jersey, held Wednesday at NJTV’s studios in Newark, quickly became a raucous and rancorous exchange, with three candidates …read more